Settlement Nets $55 Million for Minn. School Technology

Minnesota schools will get $55 million to buy computers and software from a settlement in a state class action alleging that the Microsoft Corp. overcharged businesses and other consumers in the state for some of its products.

Under the terms of the 2004, $174.5 million settlement, half of any unclaimed money was to go to public schools in the state. Altogether, 467 school districts and public charter schools are in line to receive varying sums based on their percentage of students in the state who are eligible for free and reduced-price lunches. St. Paul schools are to receive $6.3 million, while $6.1 million is earmarked for Minneapolis schools.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, called the windfall “a wonderful infusion of funding for technology in Minnesota schools.”

“This money will allow [schools] to update, and in many cases, expand their technology, which in turn will help students learn and achieve at higher levels,” he said in a statement.

The district can redeem state-issued vouchers for more than 1,500 eligible products from a number of companies, including Microsoft, from now until Jan. 27, 2012.